Conflict Between School and Work

Updated on June 10, 2011
G.A. asks from Apollo Beach, FL
10 answers

This is about my hubby, he works for a construction company, he is the foreman for his crew, he has been there for almost 4yrs., well he decided he wants to go to school for different career, one that's he has always wanted, working with computers, so he has been in school for now for about 8 months, is going to still be in for another 17months, this is 4 days a week, so he has to leave early, this is causing problems at work, my question is can he get fired for this?He obviously still doing the best he can at work, but he can tell his boss isn't too happy with him being in school now. When he did start at this company he was told his hrs would be from 7-3:30,(which school starts at 6pm), because my hubby was planning on going to school, but I think his boss was thinking it was gonna be for what he is doing now, well not what my hubby had in mind apparently, as well as being on salary his boss tries to work him to death and on weekends

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D.C.

answers from Toledo on

If he has to leave work early every day and it wasn't pre-approved by his boss, then yes..he can get fired.

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T.

answers from Tampa on

I think some of the answers to this questions have been a little misleading and quite honestly a little harsh.

Florida is not a "right to fire" state. It is a right to WORK state. This means that your husband is completely free to leave his job whenever he wants to and cannot suffer consequences from his employer (unless there is some kind of employment contract or non-compete agreement). Conversely, it also means that his employer can fire him at any time for any reason or for no reason at all.

What is right and what is lawful are often two entirely different things. Do I think your husband deserves to be fired? Absolutely not! Is his boss within his legal right to do so? Unfortunately, yes.

My advice to your husband would be to do the best job he possibly can, be completely honest with his employer, and finish up his schooling as soon as possible. I hope everything works out for you!

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J.S.

answers from Hartford on

Yes, he can be fired for leaving work early regularly. When you leave work early and don't make up the time you're stealing company time costing the company money and work that could have been completed. That's a lot of money and a lot of undone work.

Your husband needs to find classes that work around his work schedule better or stick to classes that are on his scheduled days off. He knew what his schedule was when he started taking classes, so he's violating his work contract.

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A.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

It depends on the company, but I say absolutely. If he was hired to work say 8am-5pm and signed a contract stating this, the company does not have to make accomodations for his school unless it's stated somewhere in their company policy, which most would not do. The reason for termination would not be him attending school, but that he could not fulfill his contracted responsibility for his hours.

1 mom found this helpful
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B..

answers from Dallas on

Yes. It can be legal grounds for termination.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Yes.

Some Employers, allow a person to attend school. Some do not.
Yes, he can be fired. And if he is not there or doing what he is supposed to and not fulfilling his Job.

He should have or should, talk to his Boss. Some, will allow an employee to attend school.
My Husband's Employer, does.
But my Husband was always, perfectly direct about it and ASKED his boss, first.

Bottom line is, if he is not doing his job, then he is not.

He is a Foreman. IF one of his men, were flaky/missing work/late/leaving early etc., always asking for time off. Would your Husband have a problem with that??? Yes. Because, he is a Foreman and there is a job to be done, and all his crew, has to work and do their job. If not, then that is an incompetent or irresponsible, worker. They ALL have to fulfill the job's and Company's, responsibilities.
And it will affect, an employee's, job performance evaluation.

IF your Husband, is planning to use this Employer, as a job reference in the future... it would be smart, to maintain a high level of job performance, IF he wants a good job reference and letter of recommendation. In the future.
He HAS to think, about that.

Or, your Husband has to cut back on how many classes he is taking.

He is on a slippery slope.
He best talk to his Boss.

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T.R.

answers from Orlando on

I think the real problem here, is that your husband is schooling for another trade. The boss realizes that your husband's commitment to his company is limited and not really there, SO, IMO, this is what is creating the rift, and, if the boss is a jerk, then he could start pinning things against him to fire him, like leaving work early. If your husband was schooling for the same trade and committed to the current company, I think the situation would be different. Your husband does need to be very careful to follow the rules, unfortunately it sounds like the boss knows this and is already taking advantage of him. It's a tough situation for your husband, for sure, especially since he still has 17 months to go. Maybe he could ask his instructor or the career office at his school for advice in getting into the field early. There might be jobs available to student who are still learning, but it might not be what he is currently earning. Just a thought. Good luck to both of you.

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P.S.

answers from Houston on

Yes. Missing work on a regular basis can be reason enough for anyone to lose their job.

I know you didn't ask for this, but can I suggest online courses? I went back to school when my son was 2 and took online courses, to study Spanish no less. The classes are self paced, meaning, he will have a schedule of when papers and tests are due, but he can do his classwork on his own time. He'll never have to leave work early to fight traffic, find a parking spot, walk to class, sit through class, and then drive home. I know some people don't like self paced classes but online classes are HUGE timesavers. I would have never gotten through 2 yrs of school if it weren't for online.

just my 2 cents!

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P.P.

answers from Orlando on

Most compnaies can fired on any terms they want, because it's a right to fire state. However when it's education involved they usually don't fire the employee. Just encourage him to be on time and do his best work while he's there.

Best reguard
P.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I don't know. If his regular hours are in his paperwork when he was hired then he has a case if they do. I do think there are some kind of rules for salary people too. They can't just make them work round the clock 6-7 days a week either. I think they have a numeric number of hour that is maximum for salary employees.

The people you should actually be asking is the state labor board. The number should be in the blue pages of your phone book.

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